Sunday, March 31, 2013

Few things in this world make me happier than visiting and supporting independent bookshops. I've lost track of the number of times I've used the Indie Store Finder. Seriously.
I wanted to know what my book-loving friends thought of independent bookshops, so I asked them the following question:

* I think Anderson's Bookshop is the heart of Naperville. The booksellers care about the community and its readers. -Me

*Love that independent bookshops are community centers where they want to find right books for you same as we do in the library. - Lynne Peredina

*I love everything. The atmosphere, the rare finds, the customer service. Just great places to shop." -Jonathan Thornton

*They get lots of great authors and illustrators to come and talk and sign books.They go all out for author events. Yes, like covering everything with yarn when Mac and John came promoting Extra Yarn. -Kathy Ellen Davis*They stock interesting titles that the chains won't take a chance on. New discoveries await with every visit. -Alison Hewett

* I like they are a local business in my community.I like that you can get to know them, and them you. - Allison Jackson*I've been to Anderson's Bookshop 456 times in the past two years. The number of times I've had a negative experience? ZERO. -Me

*That they know what books are popular with kids & librarians, and they don't give you a blank stare when you ask for a book. - Terry Shay

*My local indie knows my name, where I work, what my readers like. They tip me off to new releases, author visits, hot book news. -Gregory

*That they are run by readers who know the books they sell, recognize quality, and deftly match readers to books. That they create a climate welcoming to usually unwelcome children and teenagers. -Heidi Rees

*I love the feeling of wanting to read that comes over me everytime I enter a real book store. Every cover says "pick me up." -Alison Hewett
*I like that you get a discount on your birthday and on theirs! I like that they are open on New Years Day & everything is 25% off" - Alison Jackson *Indie=> store owners KNOW their books & customers. Perfect matches! Finding RIGHT book is more important than quick sale!" -Fran McVeigh
*Not being subjected to formulaic customer service responses or marketing material that presumes staff don't read & can't help.-Reid W
*I love the small coziness and that people there recognize me when I come in. I love the area of new books I can count on. -Kelly Mueller
*You get to know a community by visiting its independent bookshops. - Me
*That they will consider ways to be connected with my classroom. - David Theune * I love all the amazing authors they bring in and the sense of community. Always happy to support local #indie shops! I also love that each #indie I step into has it's own character. They are all unique and sometimes quirky in their own way. -Jen Vincent
*That I can sell back my old books, then buy new ones for my classroom! - Shannon Houghton
* Friendly, personalized, knowledgeable staff - Nancy Kalush * I like that the employees at my Indie bookstore know about books and can recommend them. -Donalyn Miller*The coziness and smaller environment. Nothing in the world besides the focus right there. - Ian Coon
*I want to read inside indie stores--the @KingsEnglish 's feels homey and comfortable. It's the ideal reading spot. I can take the time to "speed date" many titles to find the right one & not feel judged. Indie bookstores understand bookworms. - Megan Van Deventer *I love that my indie stocks a huge range of titles--not only whatever is new & hot, but also books that are timeless. - Tamara Jaimes* I love independent bookshops because real readers help curate my selections. - Mary J. Johnson
*I love that they know my name, where I work, and know their books. I can trust their recommendations. I also love that they are often finding ways to help authors visit my small school for free.- Brian Wyzlic
*Are you having a bad day? Visit an independent bookshop. It is the perfect cure. -Me
* I love that independent bookshops are knowledgeable about their books and get to know me as a reader. - Katherine Sokolowski * I love how they use an index card to mark the last copy and know when it is time to order more. -Amy Duncan *My indie bookstore feels like part of my family. They know and get books and they know me too." -Alyson Beecher
*Nothing smells better than an independent bookshop. -Me*My indie hosts TeenBookCon and provides authors/books for school visits! I love that my indie is knowledgable and passionate about YA and encouraging children/teens to read.Love @BlueWillowBooks! - Jennifer Fountain
*Each independent bookshop is unique. - Donna Kouri
*It's easy to buy online then have book arrive and it doesn't fit collection etc. Real bookstores stop me making mistakes. - Alison Hewett
*They are usually family owned and passionate about getting every reader the right book. They support and care about community. -Lynne White*I love how enthusiastic and knowledgeable they are about books! They have been so helpful to me as a new author--inviting me to storytimes and selling my book at school/community events. (So lucky to have so many awesome indies in Seattle area!) - Brianna Caplan Sayres

*I love that I can talk to people that work in an independent bookshop and they share the same passion for books. -Niki Barnes*Each one smells uniquely of paper and the owner's cologne. I love that. - Amy Gaskin

* I never fail to get lost in my independent book store: lost in books, in conversation, or just wandering through the shelves. -Debbie Alvarez *#FaceInABook has brought our community together through books and author events. Also--our public library is tucked away up on a hill. The Indie is on a popular street so even reluctant readers are drawn in. - Erin Dealey

*Rainbow Books has been behind the scenes of every literacy event in my town supporting authors, illustrators, and readers of all ages. University professors sometimes hold classes in their store to expose students to the best in kids' books. Rainbow Books feels like home. -Julee Murphy

*They know me, what I read, what I need to read. They bring authors to my school library and they have become my friends. - Melanie Scales*As a former Indie owner, I am a huge supporter of our bookstores around the world. I have several hundred photos of my favorite bookstores...in big cities and small towns. Indies are places of happiness and discovery. Their bookmarks line my library shelves at home. Lewis Buzbee's book The Yellow Lighted Bookshop sums up so much of how I feel as a reader and a book lover. -Louise Borden

*I held my launch at my indie, Bryan Prince Bookseller last summer and they were (and continue to be) so supportive and gracious. I was there just yesterday, ordering a book that comes out this week and I look forward to the phone call telling me to pop in because it arrived. The people are friendly and knowledge and know exactly who I am. The store is a pillar of my neighborhood and even though Bryan himself has retired, the store and its new owners (long time employees) carry on his legacy by being an integral part of the community in which I live. -Joanne Levy* I love indie bookstores. They have personality. They have a FEEL to them. That feeling is one of the reasons I love books. -Adam Lehrhapt

*No matter where I am, when I enter an indie bookstore it's as if I'm home; all my senses come alive in anticipation. -Margie Myers-Culver

*Here's hoping indie bookshops stay with us forever. I will always support my locals :) @Woozlesbooks - Meghan Marentette *I mentioned a few weeks ago how cool my indie store was because I could run into people like Marla Frazee and Lisa Yee. - Alyson Beecher*Teresa Rolfe Kravin believes in independent bookshops.*Books sing sweeter in an Indie. -Ame DyckmanWhenever possible, please support independent bookshops.

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Dear Mr. Sharp, Wow!!! Can you believe we made it to Number the Stars? I find it VERY hard to believe. We've read a lot of really BAD and really GOOD Newbery Medal-winning books. Number the Stars has a special place on the list entitled, "ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS EVER PUBLISHED." Your friend,Mr. Schu

Friday, March 29, 2013

Sneed B. Collard's Pocket Babies: And Other Amazing Marsupialsis one of the most popular books in my school library's 500s section. My kids are big fans of his books. Sneed dropped by Watch. Connect. Read to discuss his books, school visits, reading, and writing. I wrote the words in red, and he wrote the words in black. Thank you, Sneed!

My nonfiction bookswere a surprise! When I decided to become a
writer, I thought I would travel a straight path to becoming a novelist—this,
despite having just graduated with a degree in marine biology. It took a couple
of years for me to think “Hm, maybe I should give science writing a try.” And,
of course, that door swung open so quickly that I spent the next ten years or
so focusing almost exclusively on nonfiction. It was time well-spent. Writing
books such as Monteverde—Science and
Scientists a Costa Rican Cloud Forest not only established me as an author,
but allowed me to see the world and gave me a huge amount of material for later
nonfiction and fiction books.

I researchall the time! I am one of those people who are
interested in almost everything.
Writing offers me an opportunity to learn about all kinds of things from
science to history, rodeo to coin collecting. One reason for my early writing
success was my preference for going out and seeing things for myself. I use
many library research tools, but what really gets my adrenaline pumping is
meeting people for myself, observing what they do, and experiencing the world
first-hand. This first-hand experience helps bring my writing to life—and, I
think, resonates with readers.

Double Eagle and Cartwheel aremy own fantasies come to life. What
child doesn’t dream of finding hidden treasure? I know that I did—and still do!
Double Eagle sprouted from an
experience I had sneaking into Fort Gaines, Alabama with a friend back in 1973.
I always wanted to incorporate that incident into a novel, but it took thirty
years before I hit on the idea of having two boys discover a priceless gold coin
inside a similar fort. To my surprise, the story attracted readers of all ages,
and many of them clamored for a sequel. I steadfastly refused—until another
irresistible idea landed in my lap, the story of the 1964-D Peace dollar.

Unlike the gold piece in Double Eagle, Cartwheel revolves around a coin that really did exist. In May,
1965, the Mint produced more than a quarter million new silver dollars, all
dated 1964. When Congress found out, they were furious and ordered all the
coins melted down. Rumors persist to this day, however, that some of the coins
survived. The problem is that if you have one, it is illegal to own, so any
sales have to be strictly on the QT. “Ah-ha!” I thought, when I learned the
story. “I have got to reunite Mike and Kyle to look for one of these things.” I
decided, though, to up the ante for the characters.

Cartwheel
picks up two years after Double Eagle
ends, when Kyle unexpectedly shows up on Mike’s doorstep in a souped-up ’57
Chevy Bel-Air with a big block engine. “I’m goin’ up to Birmingham to see my
sister Annie,” Kyle tells Mike. “You want to come along?”

“Sure,” says Mike. What he doesn’t know
is that Kyle isn’t going to see Annie. He’s going to rescue her from their
abusive aunt and uncle. What follows is a cross-country flight from the law
that lands Mike, Kyle, and Annie in Denver, Colorado. One of the trio’s big
problems is money. To get somewhere safe, Kyle and Annie need to raise cash,
and fast. Mike comes up with the idea of searching for a 1964-D Peace dollar.
As far-fetched as the idea seems at first, the trio’s efforts eventually give
them a solid lead on one of the priceless coins.

Of course people who have already read
the story are now clamoring for a third
book! It’s a nice problem to have.

My school presentationsfocus on the wonder of learning,
literature, storytelling, and adventure. I keep about five presentations in
active rotation, most geared toward specific age levels. In one grade 3-6
presentation, I take kids to the deep-sea floor in a submersible to learn about
bioluminescent animals. Along the way, they learn how to do research and get
writing ideas without using the
internet. In another grade 4-adult talk, I follow my own writer’s journey,
showing people how my own events and interests led to the books that I write. I
also give the inside background on my most recent books such as Cartwheel and Hangman’s Gold. Other talks focus on tropical forests and reptiles.
I frequently speak to all age levels from kindergarten up through college. Recently,
I debuted a new teacher workshop, “Common Core Canines”, that focuses on using
dog books to achieve Common Core standards.

I teach writing workshopsto motivated
youngsters and adults, grades 4 and up. In one-hour workshops, I tackle active
voice and “show don’t tell”. In longer workshops, I pull out a variety of
implements from my writer’s tool box.

The best thing about visiting schools is the kids.
Whether I am in a country school in Wyoming or a large suburban school in
Virginia, I am always delighted by the passion and enthusiasm children have for
books, writing, and living. These visits continually renew my hope for the
planet and my motivation for writing the next book.

Reading isthe best thing you can do for your brain. Even reading
a really awful book stimulates ideas and thought-processes that no video game
or movie can duplicate. I credit the hundreds of books I read as a child with
turning me into person I am today, and I can’t imagine being able to make sense
of the world without the books I have under my belt. Of course, reading showers
many other benefits on readers, from simple enjoyment to understanding life’s
journey to, yes, being able to string two sentences together in a meaningful
fashion.

Mr. Schu, you should have asked me aboutmy YouTube channel
and my current book projects. My son and I recently decided to become our own
movie producers, and have started creating book trailers for my
mystery-thrillers. The thing is, we’re locked in fierce competition. My son
thinks his trailers are better than
mine. I heartily disagree! Only the number of Likes and Views will tell the
tale, so all you readers, watch the trailers and cast your votes!We’ll continue to add trailers,
especially for new projects as they come out. Currently, I’m working on two new
mysteries, for instance, as well as Sneed
B. Collard III’s Most Fun Book Ever About Insects, which should be out next
year. Also be sure to like Bucking Horse Books on FaceBook and look up the
websites www.buckinghorsebooks.com
and www.sneedbcollardiii.com.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Over the next three or four weeks, my fourth- and fifth-grade students will watch author Lauren Oliver's video series that shows how The Spindlers was created from start to finish. I'll probably play an episode at the start of each library period.
I hope you'll find ways to use these videos in your library or classroom. Happy watching!

Episode 1: Developing the Idea

Episode 2: Writing the Story

Episode 3: Editing the Book

Episode 4: Creating the Art

Episode 5: Proofing the Story

Episode 6: Printing the Book

Episode 7: Reading the Book

Borrow The Spindlers from your school or public library. Whenever possible, please support independent bookshops.

Me: You're about to read two of my all-time favorite books. I cannot read either story without crying. They both remind me to be a patient and understanding teacher-librarian. Will you let me know what you think of them?

Third Grader: Sure. I'll let you know after spring break.

Me: Thank you! Please see me before you head back to class.

Third Grader: OK

Three minutes later...

Me: Come with me. (We walk to the nearest tissue box. I place one tissue inside each book.) Happy reading!

************************

I'm going to share these two video clips with her when she returns the books.

Patricia Polacco is surrounded by images and toys that inspire her.

Take a tour of Patricia's bedroom and parlor.

Borrow Thank You, Mr. Falker and The Junkyard Wonders from your school or public library. Whenever possible, please support independent bookshops.

Monday, March 25, 2013

Words count.All words,and giving voice to those childrenwho don’t yet know their poweris to open the world.

Mrs. Stretchberryknows how to woo her student Jack,understands how to draw from himphrases that play with shapes and sounds,stanzas that speak to the painof lossand loveand memory.

During a school year where poetry is a regular part of things,words work deep,settle,unfold, growas Jack does from a boy who thinks writing poetry is to“makeshortlines”to one who finds the courage --through the structure, voice,and style of others --to speak his own.

“Was it like mewhen I didn’t thinkmy wordswerepoems?”Jack asks Mrs. Stretchberry,and I am firm in the knowing thatteachers reach into lives,authors speak directly to their readers,words make impact,transform,compel,demand responseevery timethey’re heard.

Poetry is as sweet asa dog lolling in the afternoon sun,isas painful as“that straggly furrysmilingdogSky”hit by a car,sprawled on the road “with his legs bent funny,”taken in a moment from the boywho’d picked him from the shelter“with his paws curledaround the wireand his long red tonguehanging outand his big black eyeslooking a little sadand his long tailwag-wag-waggingas if he were sayingMe me me! Choose me!”

It is in the writing down that loss becomes more than sorrow:It becomes a touchstone for all who encounterthe memory,even when it’s not their own.Poetry isa balm,a battle cry,a picture that saysthis is what it means to see.

Some like to debatethe merit of the verse novel:Is it a collection of poems tied together through story?A hybrid somehow lesser than true poetry?Something from English class -- stories spoken by a blind man?A tale stripped bare, chopped to pieces for effect?

And yet,wherever the definition falls,there is no denying verse novels open the way of rhythm,expose through brevitytrue abundance,give readers room to live in the midst of languagerich and intricate,stilted,jarring,beautiful and barren.Sharon Creech is able to tell a complete storywith a handful of poems,and in doing soaccents Jack’s world with authenticity that would have been lost in a jumble of prose.

Saturday, March 23, 2013

I am now convinced that I’ve spent more time browsing Flickr creative commons licensed photos than anyone. Top five at least. That’s how I come up with the Covering the Newbery covers, with occasional assists from Photoshop and Splashup, and always with the help ofPicMonkey. Today we close out the 80s with…

I refer to this video during today's video.

Paul Fleischman talks about matchbox theaters.

Borrow Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices from your school or public library. Whenever possible, please support independent bookshops.

Friday, March 22, 2013

Please join me in welcoming author Sue Fliess to Watch. Connect. Read. Wow, I can hear people all around the world shouting, "WELCOME SUE!" Sue dropped by to finish my sentences about her books, book trailers, school visits, eBay, reading, and writing. I wrote the words in red, and she wrote the words in black. Thank you, Sue! :)

Tons
of Trucks, A Dress for Me!, and Shoes for Me! are my three children’s books available today. Shoes for Me! was published first, in
2011, and is about a little girl hippo whose feet have grown. She and Mom head
out to the shoe store to find a new pair of shoes. A Dress for Me!, published in 2012, is the second in the series.
Our little hippo again goes with Mom to the dress store to get a new dress for
school. The third in the series, Books
for Me!, will come out in 2014, but this time hippo and her Dad go to the
library to search for good books. Had to get the Dad in there! Tons of Trucks came out the summer of
2012 and is a rhyming, novelty book about trucks—with interactive moving parts
for little hands. It’s a great introduction to transportation and shows
children all the different kinds of trucks and what they do. And these trucks
happen to be driven by lots of different kinds of sweet animals. I have 6 more
books coming out—2 this fall—so stay tuned!

I think book trailers are
such a great way to give readers a glimpse of the characters and the style of
writing, and should be just enough to tease or entice someone into checking it
out. I love book trailers—especially because sometimes I’m afraid I’ll come
upon a spoiler review before I read a book. And often the back of the book has
very little about what’s actually inside. I rely on book trailers more and more
to guide me on whether I’ll read the book or not. I made book trailers for all
my books. Shoes and Dress I actually made with iMovie, and
my Tons of Trucks illustrator, Betsy
Snyder, along with her talented husband, created an animated book trailer for
that one.

School visits are one of the best
ways to get to know my readers. They’re also great for getting new ideas. Kids
will often tell me what I should write next, and their ideas are great! I’m
trying to do more school visits, but since I have two young boys at home and
also hold a job, it’s not as easy to schedule them. My hours are very flexible,
though, and I’m a low-maintenance author, so please, if you’d like me to come
to your school, just ask!

The best thing about being a children’s
author is
all the people I’ve met since starting this journey. My eyes have been opened to
a world of the most creative, friendly and generous people on Earth. I’d been
writing all my life, but it wasn’t until I ventured into children’s writing,
that I felt like I found a real purpose for my writing. If I can help one child
learn to read from something I’ve written, well, then, I’m happy.

In addition to being a children's author I'm also a Mom of two boys, ages 8.5 and almost 10. I'm a Sr. Copyright for eBay (ever heard of 'em?), where I write communications for people and businesses that sell on eBay. I do some marketing consulting on and off (mostly off these days), and in my spare time (what's that?) I also write freelance articles about topics that interest me. I lead my writing critique group and sometimes help with writing conferences. I also volunteer at my boys' school, in the classroom and during their annual walkathon.

The Rutgers University Council on Children’s
Literature was a wonderful conference! You have to apply, so you
know if you are accepted, everyone there is committed to children’s literature
and serious about getting published. The writer to editor ratio is
mind-boggling. I had the good fortune of accidentally having lunch with an
editor to whom I’d submitted 3 manuscripts months earlier. She, of course, did
not know who I was or what I’d submitted. But by the end of lunch, she’d made a
note to sift through her giant (slush) pile when she got back and read my
stuff. And…a few months later she bought my first book,

Shoes for Me!

Reading is an essential life skill, yet something most of us take for granted. I sometimes try to imagine what it would be like if I didn’t know how to read. It would be the most helpless feeling. Reading seems like such a basic skill, yet there are so many people who don’t know how, or are never given the opportunity to learn. As the saying goes, when kids are little they’re learning to read, but once older, they’re reading to learn. How can you learn and grow if you don’t know how to read? We need to stop cutting library funding and make literacy a priority.

Picture books are a crucial building block for a child’s development. I am not a teacher or educator, but I know that with my own children, we could not get enough picture books. Not only are they wonderful for parent-child bonding, but it’s lets kids associate images with words and make sense of language, of their world. Picture books are more powerful than many think.

Mr. Schu, you should have asked me about
the time when I was 19 that I won first place—$100—in an amateur talent contest.
We were on a family vacation in Key West and passed by a venue that was holding
a talent contest and my sister convinced me to sing. I agreed, but once we got
in there, not one person with a guitar knew any songs that I knew. So, when it
was my turn, I stood up there, all alone on the stage and sang Faithfully by
Journey…a cappella! What does this have to do with writing, you ask? Writing is
about bravery and taking risks…and also doesn’t usually pay very well. Haha!

I am giving away a copy of Shoes for Me! and a copy of A Dress for Me!

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Author-illustrator Loren Long spent a memorable morning in my school library putt puff puttedy chuffing with my students. He talked about Of Thee I Sing, Mr. Peabody's Apples, The Little Engine That Could, and the Otis series. He read Otis and the Puppy and taught us how to draw Otis. Loren's down-to-earth personality wowed every student and teacher. He spoke from his heart.

I met with my first graders five minutes after Loren walked out the door. Here is what they said about Loren's author visit...

*I like that I heard Otis and the Puppy for the first time from Loren Long. It made it extra special.

*It was interesting watching Loren Long draw Otis.

*I learned that learning to read was difficult for Loren when he was a child, but he became a wonderful reader and writer.

*Loren Long drew Otis for us. I want to draw my own Otis tonight. We can send it to Loren Long.

*I learned that he uses different kinds of paint and supplies.

*I want to draw Otis tonight and share it with my family.

*My favorite part was when Loren drew Otis.

*Loren Long read us Otis and the Puppy. It was AWESOME.

*I liked when we stood in line to shake Loren Long's hand. He's a nice guy.

*I loved when Loren showed us the picture of him with President Obama.

*I learned that Loren Long is a very creative man.

*I liked when he talked about all the amazing books he’s written and illustrated.

*It was nice learning about his childhood.

*Loren Long's presentation was

-mind-blowing

-fabulous

-awesome

-cool

-inspiring

-fun

-creative

-amazing

-unforgettable

-the best part of my day

What do my second graders want me to share with Loren Long?

*You are awesome.

*I wish you could visit our library every day.

*You're the best guy ever.

*I'm glad you told us about your childhood. You're very kind.

*I appreciate you coming to my school for an author visit. It was really nice seeing you!

*You are the best tractor drawer.

*I appreciate your work. You are the best.

*I like you.

*Roses are red, violets are too. I am thankful you came to our school.

About Mr. Schu

I am a part-time lecturer at Rutgers University and the Ambassador of School Libraries for Scholastic. I work diligently to put the right book in every child's hand. Book trailers are one way to connect readers with books. (All opinions shared are on own.)